Mario Annicchiarico / Times Colonist
Photo Credit: Kyle Robinson Photography
SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 10:28 PM
Hundreds of sets of eyes will be upon them and that’s just counting the National Hockey League and NCAA scouts in attendance this weekend.
The Victoria Grizzlies head to the B.C. Hockey League Showcase, the biggest weekend of the year for the young recruits, all looking for scholarships.
The time to shine is now.
“It’s an opportunity for a ton of exposure,” said Grizzlies head coach and general manager Craig Didmon. “A lot gets put into one weekend and they need their best performance and as a hockey team, we need to be our best.
“It’s sort of like all the eggs are in one basket. All the teams are there and it’s your time to shine. You never get a second chance to make a first impression and that’s what’s going to happen — a lot of players are going to make their first impression.”
The 4-1 Grizzlies will tackle the Langley Rivermen today at 4 p.m. and follow that up with a date against the Trail Smoke Eaters on Sunday at 10 a.m. in a short turnaround in Chilliwack.
“We have to come out prepared and have to be focused. You have to make plays to help you win hockey games,” said Didmon. “That’s what’s going to get them noticed. You’re not going to make plays to earn a scholarship, you’re going to make plays to win a hockey game and that’s what will help them.
“They have to focus on getting the two points each night. They are all very skilled and I certainly expect them to rise to the occasion.”
Victoria will likely be without defenceman Brett Stirling who came away with an ankle injury last weekend in the team’s only loss to the Cowichan Valley Capitals that ended a streak of four wins. He also missed last year’s Showcase. Nick Guiney remains out with his shoulder injury.
Schools have consistently asked about Didmon’s roster and that interest will increase immensely in Chilliwack.
“We’ve put ourselves in the drivers’ seat and now we have to continue,” Didmon said of the team’s early showing. “Having success this weekend should put players over the top and I’m optimistic we will land a few [scholarships] through the weekend coming up.”
As for the other Island teams, Alberni Valley faced Chilliwack late Friday night and play Coquitlam today at 3 p.m.; Nanaimo lost 6-3 to Vernon on Friday afternoon and meets Salmon Arm today at 10 a.m.; Cowichan Valley edged Surrey 3-2 on Thursday and then beat Merritt 4-2 on Friday afternoon; and Powell River downed Wenatchee 5-4 in overtime on Friday and faces off against Trail today at 1 p.m.
